Great Dane vs Mastiff
Great Dane or Mastiff? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| Great Dane | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Working | Working |
| Size | Giant · 110–175 lb | Giant · 120–230 lb |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years | 6–10 years |
| Coat | Short, smooth, sheds | Short, dense, sheds |
| Temperament | Gentle, friendly, patient | Calm, dignified, protective |
| Best fit | Homes with space, calm families | Calm homes with space |
| Energy | ●●●●● Daily walks, easy indoors | ●●●●● Moderate daily walks |
| Trainability | ●●●●● Willing, train early | ●●●●● Willing but stubborn |
| Grooming load | ●●●●● Quick weekly wipe | ●●●●● Weekly brush, drool towel |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Gentle but huge | ●●●●● Gentle, but huge |
| Observed price | $1,500 median (145 prices) | $1,850 median (56 prices) |
How they differ
- Energy: the Great Dane rates higher than the Mastiff (3 of 5 vs 2).
- Trainability: the Great Dane rates higher than the Mastiff (4 of 5 vs 3).
- Grooming load: the Mastiff rates higher than the Great Dane (2 of 5 vs 1).
- Beginner fit: about the same (3 of 5 each).
The Great Dane
A German boarhound refined into a giant companion, the Great Dane is gentle, friendly and surprisingly calm indoors as an adult. Everything about it is large, including its food, vet bills and car, and its lifespan is short.
Giant size means giant costs and a short life, with bloat and heart disease as serious risks. Puppies grow fast and need controlled exercise, and training must start early before the dog outweighs you.
The Mastiff
The English Mastiff is an ancient guardian breed and one of the heaviest dogs in the world. Dignified, calm and gentle with family, it guards by presence more than aggression, but its size, drool and short lifespan are real commitments.
Everything costs more at 200 pounds: food, medicine, surgery and transport. Mastiffs drool heavily, snore and live short lives, and early leash training is essential before the dog outweighs you.
Questions
Is a Great Dane or a Mastiff better for a beginner?
Neither has the edge: both rate 3 of 5 for beginners in our Animal Library. Great Dane: Gentle but huge. Mastiff: Gentle, but huge.
What is the main difference between a Great Dane and a Mastiff?
Giant size means giant costs and a short life, with bloat and heart disease as serious risks. Puppies grow fast and need controlled exercise, and training must start early before the dog outweighs you. By contrast, everything costs more at 200 pounds: food, medicine, surgery and transport. Mastiffs drool heavily, snore and live short lives, and early leash training is essential before the dog outweighs you.
Which costs more, a Great Dane or a Mastiff?
On the prices we observed, the Great Dane median is $1,500 (145 prices) and the Mastiff median is $1,850 (56 prices).